Providence County Biographies
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DAVIS, John William, retired merchant, and Governor of Rhode Island in 1887 and 1890, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., March 7, 1826, son of John and Nancy (Davis) Davis. He comes of old New England ancestry. On his paternal side he is a descendant in the seventh generation from James Davis, who came with a family from Marlboro, Wiltshire, England, to Massachusetts Bay Colony, about 1630, was admitted a freeman in Newbury in 1634 and in 1640 was one of the twelve original settlers of Haverhill, of which town he was chosen to the first board of Selectmen and was the largest individual tax payer for many years. The line of descent is James and James, Jr. (both from England), Elisha and Daniel (born in Haverhill), Daniel, Jr., and Daniel, 3rd (of Swansea), and John and John W. of Rehoboth. On the maternal side he is a descendant in the fifth generation from John Davis, who came from Iondon, England, to New-port, R. I., about 1678, where he built a house, which was occupied by the General Assembly as the place of its sessions and made practically the Province House from 1682 to 1691, when the first public Colony House was built. This ancestor’s descend-ants of the third generation, having identified themselves with the Revolutionary part}* were obliged, as were hundreds of others, to leave Newport, upon its occupation by the British in December, 1776, and came up to Rehoboth, Mass., and settled there. Mr. Davis received his early education in the public schools of Rehoboth and at a private school in Pawtucket. He was brought up, as all his paternal ancestors were, to the business of farming, until he was eighteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to the trade of a mason in Providence, teaching public schools in the country during the winters. Having completed his apprenticeship of three seasons, he traveled as a journeyman, working at his trade in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Louisiana from 1847 until 1850, when he went into mercantile business in Providence, which he continued until 1890, and which by industry and prudence through all the vicissitudes of forty years he successfully maintained. True to his ancestral instincts, and in line with his mercantile business (the grain and provision trade), he has always taken a deep interest in agriculture and carried on an extensive farming business in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, still owning and being largely interested in farm lands and plantations in the Western states, in Manitoba and in the Island of San Domingo, to all of which he habitually gives much thought and attention. Having removed his residence from Providence to Pawtucket in 1877, he was there chosen to his first public office, that of Town Councilman, and President of the Board, in 1882, and again in 1885. In 1885 he was elected a State Senator, re-elected in 1886 and again in 1893. In October 1886 he was appointed by President Cleveland Appraiser of Foreign Merchandise for the Providence United States Customs District. In 1887 he was elected Governor of Rhode Island by the Democratic party, aided by a large independent vote, and was for five consecutive years the candidate of his party for that office, receiving in four of the five, the last three successively, the majority vote, though owing to the then law requiring a majority of all the votes cast, to elect by the people, he was but twice seated in office, : in 1887, by a majority of all the votes, and again in 1890, by choice of the General Assembly. The most notable events of his gubernatorial service were an investigation and reform in prison discipline and management; the adoption of an amendment to the state constitution, extending the elective franchise to all citizens upon uniform qualifications, as a right, instead of a privilege as theretofore held to especial classes, and thus amicably concluding a long and bitter partisan controversy of more than fifty years of acrimonious debate with threatened insurrection; the adoption of a ballot reform law and the establishment of the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Kingston (which was chartered upon his special recommendation) were also substantially outcomes of his administrations. At present Mr. Davis is employed in the care of various fiduciary interests for himself and others, and engaged in several business enterprises which serve to keep him in active life, and abreast with the state’s progressive citizens. His residence is in the suburbs of Pawtucket, and his family, a wife and two daughters, are well known in social circles.
Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
DAVIS, William Dean, woolen manufacturer, Providence, was born in Davisville, North Kingstown, R I., January 26, 1813, son of Jeflry and Elizabeth (Mawney) Davis. He is descended from Aaron Davis, who, November 13, 1694, became one of the proprietors of Dartmouth, Mass., in the confirmatory deed of Governor William Bradford. Joshua, the son of Aaron, bought the property in North Kingstown, now Davisville, and had a grist-mill there. This property Mr. Davis now owns. His grandson Joshua, Mr. Davis’s grandfather, was Major of the Second Regiment of Kings county in the war of the Revolution, and was afterward a Deputy in the General Assembly from North Kingstown. Jeffry, Mr. Davis’s father, was for many years a Senator from North Kingstown in the General Assembly. He received his early education in the public schools and in Kingstown Academy. At sixteen years he went into a store in New York and then into one in Philadelphia, remaining in both places about three years. Returning to North Kingstown he took an interest in the manufacturing of woolen goods, which business had been established by his father and uncle with carding machines for custom work, and which was afterward developed into spinning, weaving and cloth finishing. In 1850 he bought a woolen mill in Centreville, Warwick, R I., which he sold in 1860. In 1861 he bought the Uxbridge Woolen Mill in Uxbridge, Mass., which he sold in 1885. In 1884 he bought, with others, the Quidnick Mills, and formed the Quidnick Manufacturing Company, in which he still retains an interest. He has been a Representative in the General Assembly from North Kingstown and afterward from Warwick He has been a member of the Squantum Club since 1872. He married, in September 1849, Miss Mary Eleanor Congdon; they have had four children: Jeffry, Elizabeth Le Moine, William Albert and Mary Congdon Davis; the last named died in infancy.
Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
DOUGLAS, Samuel Tobey, attorney-at-law, was born in Providence, November 15,1853, son of Rev. William and Sarah (Sawyer) Douglas. His father was born in Pollock Shaws. near Glasgow, Scotland, of an ancient Scotch house. His mother was a native of Salisbury, Mass., of American and remotely of English descent. He received his preparatory education in the public schools of Providence, and entered Brown University, from which he graduated with the degree of B. P. in 1872. He afterwards entered the Department of Law in Union University, Albany, N. Y., from which he graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1875. He was admitted to the bar of the state of New York, May 21, 1875, to the bar of Rhode Island, November 2, 1875, to the Circuit Court of the United States, March 7, 1877. He has since practised his profession in Providence. In January 1890 he was appointed Commissioner of the United States Circuit Court for the District of Rhode Island, which office he now holds He has taken an active part in the service of the Rhode Island militia He was Second Lieutenant and Judge Advocate of the First Light Infantry Regiment from 1879 to 1880; Captain and Adjutant from 1880 to 1884; Major from 1886 to 1887; Lieutenant-Colonel from 1887 to 1880; Adjutant of the Veteran Association from 1884 to 1887 and Major from 1893 to 1895. He was a member of the Common Council from 1887 to 1890 and of the Board of Aldermen from 1890 to 1892-In politics he is a Republican He is a member of the First Baptist Church, of the Rhode Island His-torical Society, the First Light Infantry Veteran Association, and of the Hope, Athletic, Providence Bar and Young Men’s {Republican clubs. He married, November 20,1878, Miss Alice Crawford Noyes, who died January 10, 1881; they had one child, Samuel Noyes Douglas, now living. On September 24, 1884, he married Miss Edith Courtney Harris, who died November 27, 1885. He again married, January 1, 1890, Miss Alice Barnes Wilbur.Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
DOUGLAS, William W., Justice of the Supreme Court, was born iu Providence, November 26, 1841, son of Rev William and Sarah (Sawyer) Douglas. His father was a native of Scotland and born near Glasgow. His mother was a native of Salisbury, Mass. He was educated in the public schools in Providence and at Brown University, graduating in the class of 1861 with the degree of A M. After graduation he was attached to the Fifth Regiment R. I. Vols., then recruiting, and received a commis-sion as Second Lieutenant. He took part with his regiment in the Burnside expedition, participating in the battles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, and the siege of Fort Macon. He was promoted to First Lieutenant June 7,1862, and to Captain February 14, 1863. He was with the regiment on the steamer Escort when the rebel blockade on the Pamlico River was broken by running past the batteries to Washington, N. C- On the expiration of his term of service, not anticipating any further active service for the regiment, which had been changed to one of heavy artillery, he returned to Providence and studied law, first in the office of Samuel Currey and afterwards at the Law School of Union University, Albany, N. Y-, where he graduated in May 1866, with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, January 1, 1867, and practised law in Providence until elected Justice of the Supreme Court. He was Commissioner of the United States Circuit Court for the District of Rhode Island from 1874 until 1890. From 1888 to 1890 he was Chief Supervisor of Elections for Rhode Island under appointment from the United States Circuit Court. In 1890 when serving as Senator from Providence he was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and took his seat in August of that year. In addition to his law practice he has taken an earnest interest in public and military affairs. He was elected a member of the General Assembly for the first time in 1871 and re-elected the following year. He was a member of the Common Council of Providence from the Second Ward from June 1873 to January 1876. In 1S66 he was appointed Major and division Judge Advocate on the staff of Gen. OIney Arnold, commanding the Rhode Island militia, and held the same position on the staff of Gen. Horace Daniels, Gen. Arnold’s successor, until 1874. In 1881 he was appointed assistant adjutant-general of Rhode Island with rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and in 1882 was promoted to be adjutant-general with the rank of Brigadier-General, holding the office until it was filled by election in the General Assembly. He was commander of Rodman Post, No. 12. Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Rhode Island, 1869-1870, and was Judge Advocate-General of the Grand Army of the Republic from 1871 to 1877, serving on the staffs of Commanders in-Chief Burnside, Devens and Hartranft. He was senior Vice-Commander of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, 1889-1890. He was for some years treasurer of the society of the First Baptist Church in Providence, and one of the trustees of the Ministerial Fund. He is a member of the Hope, Squautum and Art clubs, the Providence Athletic Association, the Grand Army of the Repub-lic, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and various professional and literary societies. In politics he is a Republican. He married, June 30, 1884, Miss Anna Jean Bennett of Newton, Mass; they have no children.Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
DOWNES, Lewis Thomas, President of the What Cheer and Hope Mutual Fire Insurance Companies, Providence, was born in Waterbury Conn., July 9, 1824, the son of Anson and Eveline (Welton) Downes. He is a direct descendant in the seventh generation of John Downes, one of the early settlers of New Haven colony, whose first child was born in 1659. Mr. Downes’ family is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has an authentic pedigree from A. D. 1243. His grandfather, great-grand-father and other members of the family took an active part in the early colonial wars and in the Revolution. His early education was obtained at the Cheshire Academy, the Waterbury Academy, and afterwards at the Newtown Academy, in Connecticut. He entered Trinity College, Hartford, and graduated in 1848 with the degree of A. B., receiving that of A. M. in 1851. After graduation he studied law in the office of Judge Francis Parsons of Hartford. He went to Providence in 1855 and soon afterward entered the office of Royal Chapin, wool-dealer and manufacturer. In 1861 he became associated with George W. Chapin in the manufac-ture of woolen goods, and the firm soon after built the Riverside Mills. Previous to this he had spent some time in Europe, studying the methods and processes of the woolen manufacturers in England, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. This resulted in his introducing into this country several machines and processes in the manufacture of woolen goods, not before known in the United States, among which may be mentioned the Bollette First Breaker Card Feeder, the first self-operating woolen mules, the Houget double-cylinder gig, now generally known as the Downes gig, as well as several other woolen finishing machines. Among the goods which were first produced in this country at the Riverside Mills were wool and mohair astra-khans, also worsted coatings and Austrian cloakings in great variety. In 1872 he left the Riverside Mills, and in 1873, with Elisha Harris, organized the What Cheer Mutual Fire Insurance Company, now one of the New England factory insurance companies, and in 1875 he organized the Hope Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is now President of both companies. Since his connection with the business he has brought into the mutual system upward of 565,000,000 of insurance on manufacturing property. For a great part of his life Mr. Downes has been known as a church musician and organist, Having received a careful musical train-ing as a portion of his early education, under some or the most noted masters of the organ and voice, he has cultivated this taste in several trips abroad by careful study of the music in the most famous cathedrals and churches in Europe, and has done much toward raising the standard of church music in this country, particularly in the Episcopal church. He was for several years a member of the School Committee of Providence and Chairman of the Committee on Music. He is a member of the Advance Club, being one of its Executive Committee and Chairman of the Committee on Municipal Reform. He has also been a member of the Churchman’s Club since its organization. In poli-tics he has always been a staunch Republican. In 1857 he married Miss Sarah Chapin, daughter of Royal and Maria T. Chapin; they have had four children: Ellen M-, Herbert C, Emma W. and Louis W. Downes, the two latter now living. Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
DUBOIS, Edward Church, Attorney Genera) of Rhode Island, was born in London, England, during the temporary absence of his parents from the United States, January 12, 1848, the son of Edward Church and Emma (Davison) Dubois. His paternal grandfather, Edward Church of Kentucky, was Consul at L’Orient, France, and his grandmother was Marie Dubois of Paris. On his mother’s side he is descended from the English families of Davison and Moore. In 1857 his father had his name and that of his family changed from Church to Dubois. He was a distinguished teacher and lecturer, and the author of several text-books: Church’s “French Spoken,” Dubois’ “ Method of Teaching French,” a book called “ Blunders,” and the edition of “ Le Petit Courier” published in Boston. The subject of the present sketch received his early education at Russell’s Military Academy, New Haven, Conn., the Pawtucket, R. I., High School, and the Friends’ Academy, New Bedford, Mass. After graduation he was employed by Thomas Otis, apothecary of New Bedford, for a year, and then went on a short whaling voyage in Jonathan Bourne’s barque Andrews. After his return he renewed his engagement with Mr. Otis, and then was engaged by Corlies, Piatt & Metcalf, wholesale druggists, and by William E. Clarke, apothecary, of Providence. He determined to adopt the law as his profession, and went to Boston, where he studied in the office of Hon. Charles J. Noyes. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts in Boston, March 19, 1870, to the United States Circuit Court bar in Boston, May 15, 1877, and to the bar of the Rhode Island Supreme Court December 15, 1877. After his admission to the bar he remained in the office of Mr. Noyes until 1871, when he went to Haverhill, Mass., to take charge of the latter’s office there. In 1872 he formed a co-partnership with Mr. Noyes under the firm name of Noyes & Dubois. In September 1872 he was appointed Clerk of the Police Court in Haverhill, and resigned his position in November 1877 to remove to Providence and practice law in Rhode Island. Mr. Dubois removed to East Providence in 187S and has since resided there. He was elected Town Solicitor and has held the office for most of the time since. He served as State Senator from East Providence from 18S3 to 1885. He was elected Attorney General of Rhode Island in 1894 and re-elected in 1895. In politics he is a Republican. He married, February 24, 1872, Miss Jennie Roberts of West Gardiner, Maine, daughter of Henry and Mary J. (Potter) Roberts. They have had three children, girls: the first died shortly after birth; the second was Blanche Emma Roberts, since deceased : and Desiree Jennie Dubois, born April 5, 1877. Roberts of West Gardiner, Maine, daughter of Henry and Mary J. (Potter) Roberts.Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
DUBOIS, Henry Joseph Church, Assistant Attorney-General of Rhode Island, was born in London, England, June 22, 1850, during the temporary absence of his parents from the United States. His parents were Edward Church and Emma (Davison) Dubois. On his paternal side he is of American descent; his paternal grandfather, Edward Church, was a native of Kentucky, and was United States Consul at L’Orient, France, for many years, being first appointed thereto by President Madison On his maternal side he is of English ancestry, his mother being descended from the English families of Davison and Moore; the family name, Church, was changed to Dubois in 1857. The subject of this sketch received his early education at Russell’s Academy (the Collegiate and Commercial Institute), New Haven, Conn.; the Grove-street Grammar school of Pawtucket, R. I., and the Friends’ Academy in New Bedford, Mass. He commenced reading law in the office of John E. Risley, Jr. Providence, and afterward read in the office of Hon.William W. Douglas and Hon. James C. Collins. He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar at the October term in 1871, and afterward on September 22, 1880, to the United States Circuit Court in Providence. He commenced the practice of his profession in Providence, where he has since successfully practised. In 1872 he was appointed by Governor Padelford, Clerk of the Justice Court of the Town of North Providence, and at the May Session of the General Assembly in 1873, was elected to the same office, and held the position until the division of said town. In 1873 he was elected by the Town Council of North Providence, Trial Justice of the Justice Court, of the Third Voting District of said town, and also Coroner, which positions he held until the division of the town. In January 1893 he was elected by the City Council of Providence one of the Justices of the Police Court, and in May 1894 was appointed by Hon. Edward C. Dubois Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General. He was for several years a member of the Republican City Committee from the Tenth Ward of Providence. He was one of the organizers of the British American Association of Rhode Island and was its president for several years. In politics he has always been a Republican. He married, October 23, 1872, Miss Eoline Glenmore Dean; they have had eight children : Henry Dean, Russell Charles, Edward Davison, Eoline Beatrice, Daisy Alice, Edward Gordon, Gladys Hope and Constance Glenmore Dubois, all of whom are now living excepting Edward Davison, who died in infancy.Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller
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